too much too soon.

[ZOM]

The Totodile hissed back at Mekhi in response to his snarl, but it was clearly her final act of resistance; she knew that there was no way she could dodge this next attack, and she knew that she was too worn out to continue once it connected. Her gaze was defiant even as she winced and waited for the final blow. Grudgingly, she had to admit that this Electrike was not so bad, but his human was another story. Even if she was to be caught, she silently swore to herself that she would not cooperate and would not give the trainer respect until she earned it -- her, not her Pokemon.

It occurred to her that her mother might worry when she really didn't come home, but then she groaned with misery and guilt to realize that with all the trouble she had caused, perhaps her mother would be relieved to be rid of her.

The Tackle attack connected, and the Totodile was slammed against the wall one final time. Her head smacked hard against the hull, and the collision was hard enough that the sturdy, hard fins left dents in the boat... and tiny holes which begun to leak in water. The Totodile did fall unconscious, though, so that wasn't her problem.

The Totodile is available for capture!
Mehki gains 1 level and 1 friendship point.

[img]http://www.serebii.net/xy/pokemon/158.png[/img]
[b]Name[/b]: ?
[b]Species[/b]: Totodile
[b]Gender[/b]: Female
[b]Ability[/b]: Sheer Force
[b]Level[/b]: 6
[b]Friendship[/b]: 0
[b]Moves[/b]: Fake Tears, Scratch, Leer, Water Gun
[b]Nature[/b]: [Name] is a total brat. She doesn't take orders and she doesn't respect authority figures; often she will rebel just because she feels like it, even if she would otherwise agree with an order or suggestion. When things aren't going her way she will throw tantrums, and she isn't above using trickery to bring others to her side, at least until they've ceased to be useful to her. It takes a ton of effort to earn this Pokemon's trust, but when she is finally won over she has the potential to be a powerful ally.
[b]Met[/b]: Umbil Lake @ lvl 6

[Deleted]

Clementine's excitement that they had won the battle was extremely short-lived, for as soon as it was over, a new threat appeared in liquid form. The boat didn't seem to be flooding, but it was still rather frightening to think they could literally sink. Even with a life vest, Clementine was still extremely worried. She began paddling once more, not bothering to capture the fainted Totodile quite yet. Unfortunately, her legs were still aching miserably from earlier, and each movement became more and more burdened.

Mekhi didn't get himself time to celebrate his defeat over the annoying water-type. He pawed at the holes in attempts to block them off, but he didn't have enough paws to prevent the water from seeping in. He ran to the front of the boat, desperate, and called out across the lake, +Hey! Someone help us, please!+

He hoped someone would answer his call, because he knew Clementine wasn't strong enough to propel them to shore in one move, let alone do it before this boat filled all the way up with water.

[ZOM]

From the looks of it, there was simply no one around to answer Mekhi's howls for help. Clem had done a good job paddling them out into the middle of the lake, but that put them well out of earshot from anyone on Pumice Rock or the mainland, and most of the wild Pokemon were staying far away. However, those few Wingull were still circling overhead, cawing lazily to one another.

+Looks like they're trouble now,+ said one.

+Seems that way,+ agreed his companion.

+Should we help?+ another chimed in.

+Oh, do we hafta?+ groaned the fourth in the bunch.

+Yeah, yeah, I guess we should,+ sighed the first, shaking his head. +I'll go find the Boss.+ He beat his wings and took off with great speed, headed for Pumice Rock.

Meanwhile, Clementine's paddle boat was filling steadily with water. Though the flow was not extremely heavy, it was more than enough to begin weighing the little vessel down, and before long it would be quite difficult to paddle even for someone strong and healthy. It was beginning to look like the situation was very grim indeed, but luckily, rescue was on the way.

Wingull began to swoop down at the trainer and her Pokemon, their beaks open as though they intended to snap at Mekhi and Clementine. At the head of the flock was a large Pelipper, its beak similarly gaping, and it was diving at Clementine in particular. Though Mekhi and Clementine surely couldn't have known it, their intentions were to clamp on to clothing, limbs, the scruff of Mekhi's neck, and anything else they could reach so that they might lift the pair (and the Totodile, too) into the air. Beside the boat, a Floatzel had silently risen from the water with its flotation device fully inflated; it would do well as a temporary raft for the trainer and her Pokemon to ride around on, and the flock intended to drop their targets onto the Floatzel's back. Of course, their efforts would be easily misinterpreted, since they were not bothering to announce themselves or explain anything.

[Deleted]

Of course Clementine couldn't have known that the Pelipper and Wingull intended to help her. From what she had experienced so far, this lake seemed so hostile! Her panic left her anxiety levels flaring, and when the bird Pokemon began swooping towards her, her reaction was to wave her arms around crazily and dunk her head. She sloshed through the water around her feet to scoop the Totodile into her arms; it couldn't protect itself from the onslaught. Much to her dismay, the Peliper's huge beak clamped around the back of her loose sweatshirt as she bent to scoop the Totodile. She squeaked in shock, and froze.

Meanwhile, Mekhi was fighting his own battles. If only those stupid birds had had enough sense to let him know that they wanted to help, he wouldn't be forcing electricity to run up and down the length of his frame, and he most certainly wouldn't have been snapping at their wings in fury. However, in a moment of confusion and distraction, small claws were on his back and beaks at his scruff, and he was caught.

[ZOM]

The birds squawked in irritation as their rescue attempt was gravely misinterpreted. A couple of Wingull were zapped by Mekhi and convulsed before falling into the water or flopping down inside the boat, momentarily stunned. One bird was smacked out of the way by Clementine's flailing limbs. There were simply too many for the weak, panicked pair to combat, however, and when finally the birds' beaks clamped down on their targets the flock was relieved.

+What a bunch of ingrates!+ huffed one of the birds, since her beak was not currently occupied. The rest of her flock hefted Mekhi and Clementine off the sinking paddle boat and plopped them right on top of the Floatzel's back, just a few feet away from the boat.

+Good thing they're scrawny!+ chimed in another one of the Wingull. This one was shoved out of the way by the Pelipper, who leered down at Mekhi, knowing at least he would understand.

+Oi, pup. You and your human better stay outta trouble around here, you got it?+ With that message sternly delivered, the Pelipper and his flock took off again, leaving Clementine and Mekhi stranded atop the Floatzel's back.

And speaking of... +Hi there!+ The creature's chipper voice rang out from beneath them, though of course Clementine could not understand. +You folks sure were in a bit of a pickle, huh? How about I help calm you down with a nice, relaxing tour of the lake!+ The Floatzel's tails began to spin like propellers, though she was sure to move along at a steady, gentle pace. After all that excitement she recognized that the group might need something a little... calmer. +My son will be your tour guide today! Keep your eyes and ears on him, folks, and arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times!+

A little Buizel popped out of the water beside his mother, smiling up at her wards. +Hiya! What're your names?+ He clambered easily onto his mother's back, plopping down right below her neck and peering up at Clementine. Apparently he had yet to realize that Clementine could not understand him; he was likely used to the Pokemorphs from Pumice Rock.

[Deleted]

Even as it was happening, Clementine couldn't believe it. She simply clasped the Totodile to her chest, eyes wide with fear as she was lifted from the sinking boat. A small scream was caught in her throat, and she could feel her heartbeat almost ripping through her chest. When she was plopped onto the Floatzel, she immediately collapsed onto her bag, still hugging the fainted Totodile. She sighed heavily before sitting up, just in time to see Mekhi plop down beside her. She heaved a sigh of relief when she realized that the Floatzel was a sturdy stead, and took the time to finally allow the Totodile to be transferred into her new Pokeball. She pulled her knees to her chest and began slow breathing exercises to regain her breath; in through the nose, out through the mouth. Or... was it the other way around? Ugh.

Mekhi flinched away when the Pelipper spoke to him, tucking his tail between his legs and whimpering quietly in response. +Y-Yes sir, we didn't mean it, thank you so much for helping us.+ Had they not just saved their lives, Mekhi may have had more of a snarky remark, but he felt that he should at least be polite since the Peliper and his flock had just done them such a great favor. He moved to Clementine's side and sat down by her, licking her arm in a comforting manner.

When the Floatzel began to speak, Clementine turned to stare at her directly, but of course understood nothing. Mekhi offered a wagging tail in return, and spoke up loudly, +A tour would be great! But after that, I think we should leave... So far we've caused an awful lot of trouble.+ Mekhi seemed somewhat crestfallen. He was already irrationally loyal to his trainer, but so far she wasn't quite so impressive as he had expected. Nonetheless, he wanted to help her along on her journey. He sensed something more deep inside the girl, she just had to focus and unlock it.

Clem smiled down at the little Buizel as he clamored up beside her. "I wish I had some way of knowing what you Pokemon say." She giggled at how excited the little thing seemed.


+I'm Mekhi, and that's Clementine. She really can't understand us, but she's a good one.+ Mekhi liked the social little Pokemon already, simply because he wasn't shy.

[ZOM]

+Can't understand us?+ repeated the Buizel, his eyes widening. +Golly! How strange. Well, she does seem nice enough! Though I guess Pelipper's flock was a little grouchy about the commotion you all were wrapped up in.+ He shook his head, shrugged, and then put on his biggest grin, baring all of his sharp little teeth.

+Anyhoo! Welcome to Umbil Lake, as the humans call it! Here we've got all kinds of exciting stuff! Like... water!+ He gestured broadly at the right side of the lake. +And... more water!+ He turned to the left and repeated his gesture, giggling nervously. +And uh... well... you can't swim, I guess, so... that probably... isn't very impressive...+ The grin was steadily falling from the Buizel's face, and when at least he trailed off he slumped down miserably, leaning against his mother's flotation collar. +Oh, what's the use?+

+Junior!+ reprimanded the Floatzel, but the smaller weasel seemed unfazed by her appalled tone.

+I mean it! This lake sucks! It's boring! All these trainers you take on tours are totally unimpressed, they're just too polite to say so!+ The Buizel hopped back to his feet and began to pace, frowning. +C'mon, mom, can't we go somewhere cool? Like the ocean?+ He paused, turning to Mekhi and Clementine. +You think you guys are gonna go to the ocean sometime?+ For Clementine's benefit, he pointed at the far-off northern shoreline which connected to the bridge in front of Marit Bay. He knew that Marit Bay was near the sea because the Wingull had told him about the pirates.

+We are not going to the ocean,+ said the Floatzel sternly, and the Buizel groaned.